Shore to Shore: The Sweet Side of Berlin

BERLIN, Md. — In the newest edition of Shore to Shore, WMDT is stepping inside a Berlin bakery known for its cozy, welcoming atmosphere. Sponsored by Schell Brothers.

Here in Berlin, it feels like stepping right into a holiday movie. But at Baked Dessert Cafe and Gallery, you can also find a sweet treat and a place that feels like home.

From the moment you walk in, the warm lighting, local artwork covering the walls and smell of fresh-baked goods welcome you into a bakery tucked away in a quiet corner of downtown Berlin.

Owner Robin Tomaselli said she fell in love with the historic town.

“16 years ago, there wasn’t, I mean, obviously there was business here, but not as much as here is here now.”

She said it didn’t take long to recognize what makes Berlin so special. “It is like a real throwback in time and it has a nostalgia to it.”

Sixteen years later, Berlin is now recognized as one of 25 official Hallmark Christmas towns.

Tomaselli’s baking journey began long before she made her way to town. She said some of her earliest memories in the kitchen came from spending time with her grandmother.

“Actually, the very first thing that my grandmother taught me how to make was cream puffs. So you will find, in our case every day, what we call mama’s cream puffs.”

Those cream puffs hold a special place in her heart.

“It’s super special to me. You know, she always cooked with us.”Tomaselli said she grew up in a large family, where food was always a way to bring people together.

“My grandmothers both were amazing cooks, and I spent the summer with one of my grandmothers, pretty much mainly, her teaching me how to cook, and how to bake. And, every Sunday we had family dinner at her house.”

She said those experiences helped shape her appreciation for the connection food can create.

“So there was a real connection early on for me, about how food connects people and I absolutely love people and, and I love baked goods.”

Her grandmother also made the family’s birthday cakes, eventually passing that responsibility along to Tomaselli.

“She made all of our, birthday cakes, and then when she got too old, somehow it landed in my lap, so it was kind of feet to the fire, but I really enjoyed it.”

That experience helped spark the idea of opening a bakery of her own.

“And, and that is kind of what started the even the thought of owning my own bakery.”

To keep its baked goods authentic and as close to home as possible, the cafe prioritizes natural, quality ingredients. With so many delicious options, I had to ask which treats customers shouldn’t leave without trying.

“Oh my gosh, there are so many things that are my favorite, unfortunately, because, you know, we all talk about it all day long. But if we didn’t work here, we’d probably have a real chance at being slim.”

From croclairs to cupcake bombs, cupcake bread pudding, panna cotta and crustless cheesecakes, the cafe offers something for just about everyone, including gluten-free options.

Of course, you can’t forget about Berlin’s official town dessert, the peach dumpling, which Baked is famously known for. If I had to put my two cents in, the Parker House rolls are out of this world.

But beyond the baked goods, Tomaselli said she wants customers to feel comfortable spending time at the cafe.

“When you walk in the door, we want you to hang out, we want you to stay with us.”

She said the support from the surrounding community has also played a big role in the bakery’s success.

“The community that surrounds us, our business partners and neighbors, are all just super supportive people.”